Wader Watching

I spent the day at Blacktoft Sands most of it in the Marshland Hide where most of the Waders were, there was a good selection present including 14 Spotted Redshank, a juv Little Ringed Plover, several Avocets and Ruff etc but nothing out of the ordinary, an adult and juv Water Rail also showed regularly throughout the morning and the young Marsh Harriers and a Peregrine ensured there was a good turn around of stuff, the rest of the hides were fairly quiet, there is still a lot of water on at the moment but I was rewarded with views of the Bittern from Singleton as it flew off towards the Trent. On the way home I called in at Bank Island for a quick scan from the viewing platform, lots of Lapwings and Grey Herons on show plus a couple of Greenshank and the female Scaup still present.

a few Moths on show in reception, a Drinker

Ruby Tiger

Silky Wainscot

and Dingy Footman, the more common colour variation

some of the Spotted Redshanks

quite a few juv Pied Wags chasing flies

Turtle Doves used to be common here, now the Collared's have moved in

young Marsh Harriers put on a good show

plus the occasional adult

some impressive stands of Marsh Sow-thistle

another posing Southern Hawker

the Bittern flying off towards the Trent

this little fella came running towards me

then saw me at the last minute